TiR - I haven't heard of many KET students at this age - certainly not at state school, anyway. In the past I have taught students who were studying for this privately. In later years - Liceo - they often study for PET and later First Certificate with a few CAE's thrown in.

It's a common complaint (from staff and pupils alike) that there isn't enough emphasis spent on communication. English teaching is very book heavy here. Example: one private student who has to read David Copperfield and Oliver Twist (albeit abridged) before the end of term (12 June), write a summary of each chapter and then struggles with fairly rudimentary conversation. The classics have their place but if you can't hold a simple conversation there's something going awry - all in my humble opinion.

Sorry, I've got a bit sidetracked! It's late, forgive me!! I'm going to check at my school tomorrow to see if they're offering KET as an option. It would be good to work towards and, to get back to the original point, with a bit of guidance they're not far off the mark.

PON is complicated - just spent a confusing hour completing all the after-course admin. Nightmare.

To be honest, I don't have much info for you. This job sort of fell into my lap as I had taught at the school before. It was all very last minute and I had a week's notice. For this course I started in May. The school I am with has funding for two more years. I think that once a school has the go ahead, it's up to them to decide when they want to run the courses. We're talking about doing the course again in February next year.

I did try to get into PON at another school last year but they seemed very angry that I knew about the project and I left with my tail between my legs (despite being given the tip-off from one of their teachers).

This is probably my last really manic week before the summer, when I have a moment I'll see if I can find out any more information. At the moment it's as clear as mud!

I did try to get into PON at another school last year but they seemed very angry that I knew about the project and I left with my tail between my legs (despite being given the tip-off from one of their teachers).
!

Can I assume that they wanted to keep such lucrative work to themselves?
I'm sure most of us wouldn't object to a good local teacher getting such work, but there seem an awful lot who won't help their students much, particularly in regard to pronunciation. Unlike language degrees in the UK there is no obligation here to spend time in the target language country, and it often shows.

Yes, that's certainly one possibility although the PON courses specify mother tongue teachers. It was a very embarrassing experience as not only did they give me short shrift - refusing to even take my cv, they also phoned up the teacher who told me about the project and gave him a telephone bollocking (excuse me!) in front of me.

Have had a look at some other local schools re. previous posting. Applications are closed for this year. Looks like they are 'live' in January. You should go directly to the school's website and there is an application form to fill in to which you attach your cv.

Hi, I've just been offered a job with British Institutes Palermo, in Sicily, paying 800 euros a month. This is my first teaching job, its for four months. Is this a decent amount of pay and does anyone know anything about the school? And what's Palermo like? I've read some bad things about 'British Institute' places....